The war crimes that Israel stands accused of (Shelling of Gaza neighbourhood 'a war crime', July 19) will not end for so long as the Israeli government perpetuates its violent military occupation, allowing inequality and injustice to flourish.
Israel’s recent actions – including deliberately targeting civilians, pursuing a policy of collective punishment against the people of Gaza and attempts to discredit victims’ families and eyewitnesses – epitomise the repression and systematic violations of human rights inherent in Israel’s unjust occupation.
Israel must end its policy of collective punishment and ensure that Palestinian civilians are protected and not targets of violence.
There would be no “security problem” for Israel if it did not oppress the Palestinian people, if it respected international law and if it treated the Palestinians with justice. Peace is only possible if it is based on justice and respect for international law.
Samaoen Osman, South Africa
All the international community is doing about Gaza is talking and looking instead of taking action.
What about all those outstanding UN Resolutions against Israel? When will they be enforced?
After all, they are enforced immediately against non-western countries.
Aziza Al Busaidy, Dubai
There is no point attempting to engage in an introspective and unbiased debate with people who encourage Israel’s behaviour despite watching it attack the Palestinians and try to illegally take their land year after year, decade after decade.
Israel should stop playing the victim card.
Sydra Malik, Dubai
Education a key part of terror law
With regard to your story, FNC to discuss new anti-terrorism draft law (July 21), I wonder whether there should be a greater emphasis on education.
Although I support the idea that much more stringent laws must be implemented to prevent terrorist organisations causing harm, I do believe that many of the young recruits of extremists groups could be resettled and re-educated.
Many of the young people who join such organisations are ignorant of what they are getting themselves involved with or are joining only after being threatened.
I sincerely believe that we must do all we can to get young people out of the hands of those who use ruthless propaganda and give them a chance to see things as they really are.
To my mind, the answer is educate, educate, educate.
Brigitte Von Bulow, Abu Dhabi
How best to help Syria’s Palestinians
There has been criticism of the donations mentioned in your story, Dh55m for Palestinians in Syria (July 21) but my view is we ought to be grateful for the gesture and the help being offered.
It seems that when countries do nothing, it’s wrong, but if countries do something, it’s also wrong.
Let’s be very humble at this beautiful gesture and at the willingness of the UAE’s leaders to be true citizens of the world.
It’s wonderful that they try to help those who need it.
Jen Bishop, Canada
One of the readers responding to your story has suggested that the UAE would have done better by sending arms to the Palestinians in Syria “so they can defend themselves”.
I cannot agree. Promoting violence only creates more violence. People should help in genuine ways, such as with money for the camps and children and education instead.
Everyone can give money at the Red Crescent stalls we see in the malls. I faithfully donate Dh200 every week to help the children in Syria who are now orphans.
You can also bring clothes, blankets, sheets and so forth to Red Crescent collection points such as at the Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi from where they are sent to the camps. Everything is accepted with love.
Name withheld by request
Top student brings pride and honour
In reference to your story, Muslim girl Myriam Bourhail named France's top high school student (July 20), her outstanding academic achievements make all of us proud and bring honour to her country and to the Arab world.
Fatima Suhail, Sharjah
Having done so well in her studies in France, I believe she now needs to go back to Morocco, where her origins lie, to help her own people.
I believe that the many brilliant young people who have studied overseas, such as in France or the US, should go back home and contribute to their own country’s future.
Highly intelligent people are the ones who can create a better world for everyone.
Their input should not just be restricted to the developed world.
Name withheld by request
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
Emiratisation at work
Emiratisation was introduced in the UAE more than 10 years ago
It aims to boost the number of citizens in the workforce particularly in the private sector.
Growing the number of Emiratis in the workplace will help the UAE reduce dependence on overseas workers
The Cabinet in December last year, approved a national fund for Emirati jobseekers and guaranteed citizens working in the private sector a comparable pension
President Sheikh Khalifa has described Emiratisation as “a true measure for success”.
During the UAE’s 48th National Day, Sheikh Khalifa named education, entrepreneurship, Emiratisation and space travel among cornerstones of national development
More than 80 per cent of Emiratis work in the federal or local government as per 2017 statistics
The Emiratisation programme includes the creation of 20,000 new jobs for UAE citizens
UAE citizens will be given priority in managerial positions in the government sphere
The purpose is to raise the contribution of UAE nationals in the job market and create a diverse workforce of citizens
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Ahmed Raza
UAE cricket captain
Age: 31
Born: Sharjah
Role: Left-arm spinner
One-day internationals: 31 matches, 35 wickets, average 31.4, economy rate 3.95
T20 internationals: 41 matches, 29 wickets, average 30.3, economy rate 6.28
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
TCL INFO
Teams:
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
When December 14-17
